![[DIY] How to dispose of an RV Travel Trailer](https://www.rvcamptravel.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/DIY-How-to-dispose-of-an-RV-Travel-Trailer-1024x768.jpg "DIY-How-to-dispose-of-an-RV-Travel-Trailer - RV Camp Travel")
The ultimate goal of the disposal process is to get rid of the RV and everything in it as soon as possible. But before you try to get rid of your RV, make sure that all tanks are empty and that there is no gas left in the fuel line. To dispose of an RV, first contact a licensed company that deals with disposals for an estimate of what it will cost to get rid of your vehicle. They will take care of everything from there.
Many people who are disposing of an RV do so themselves or with the help of a few friends in order to save money, but if you have never done this before then it can be hard to figure where to start. To avoid becoming overwhelmed or discouraged consider only taking on one small part at a time
Since most people use a disposal company there is very little information on how to do it yourself. However, if you want the satisfaction of doing something yourself here are some tips for disposing of an RV.
Do It Yourself Tips:
1. Empty All Tanks
FEMA recommends that you close all windows and turn off any gas burners before transporting the vehicle to its final resting place (usually a junkyard).
The reason is that if your roof leaks or if there is a hole in the body then your water tanks might leak along with any flammable materials inside your RV; either could be dangerous to anyone who finds the hulk later on.
Before going to a disposal site, empty all toilets and sinks as well as anything else holding liquids. Batteries should be disconnected and disposed of separately. Be sure to remove and dispose of any valuable or dangerous items inside the RV such as tools, fuel tanks, or chemicals.
2. Make sure you have the license
Do not attempt to get rid of this vehicle without a license. Just because you can haul it on a truck doesn’t mean that you should!
Disposing is very different from normal transportation and requires special equipment and techniques; if you don’t know what you are doing then hire someone who does.
It is important that your insurance company knows the whereabouts of your RV so be sure to let them know where the hulk is going just in case they need more information about an accident that involves your old vehicle (if there was an accident).
Also be sure not to leave anything inside your RV that could come out during transport and get lost, like a driver’s license, travel documents, or prescription medicine.
3. Sell it for Scrap Metal
If you are on your own then the first step is to find a good place to start dismantling the vehicle. You might be able to sell some of the material like aluminum siding or even copper wiring but it will take time for these materials to be picked up by scrap dealers so don’t count on these items as moneymakers right away.
Most people just want everything gone within a week; so if you plan on selling anything then do it quickly before anyone gets in touch with you asking for the stuff back.
4. Safety
Beware of any sharp edges from windows once they have been removed; they can tear up your tool belt. Get some sort of protection for your eyes and lungs; breathing in spray paint fumes is no fun.
Remove the tires and batteries, take out all windows and fixtures, open any tanks that hold liquids, pull everything off of shelves (so they don’t fall over when the roof is taken off), etc… Another option is to strip down the interior while keeping all outside material intact; this will make it easier to get a good price for the remodeled parts.
5. Take Pictures
If you are planning on dismantling everything yourself then take pictures of every part and keep track of what you have taken off. This will make it easier if you need to take apart any other vehicles or build something with similar parts later on, plus many RV junkyards don’t accept junk that comes in mixed so they might charge you an extra fee for sorting through your vehicle when they pick it up.
6. Sell The Parts Online
There will always be someone that is looking for a cheaper second hand part then buying a new part.Sell the parts you removed online this is a great way to get rid of the parts fast.
Be sure to check local laws before deciding how to dispose of an RV.
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